Liverpool 3-2 Paris St Germain - We've conquered all of Europe and we're never gonna stop!
After a great start to their Premier League campaign, Liverpool's attention shifted to the Champions League last night as they hosted PSG at Anfield. Last season Liverpool were the stars of this competition producing many entertaining games on the way to the final in which they lost to Real Madrid. It was yet another magical European night under the lights at Anfield and based of this performance it looks like we could be in for more of the same this season.
Paris St Germain were also knocked out of last seasons competition by Real Madrid in the Round of 16 stage after topping their qualifying group ahead of Bayern Munich. They rolled into Liverpool boasting some of the world biggest names and brightest talents and an attacking trio that many believe tops even that of Liverpool. You can see why with the worlds most expensive player in Brazil forward Neymar, Mbappe the teenage superstar who helped France lift the World Cup as well as Uraguay legend Edinson Cavani. They definitely possess plenty of goalscoring threat. The clear and obvious difference between PSG's superstars and Liverpool's became evident as this game played out, while both are capable of producing spectacular moments of brilliance, the French sides forwards aren't as willing to track back and help out the team when it comes to the dirty defensive work. This lead to Liverpool's fullbacks being able to find acres of clear space as they got forward at will as Liverpool dominated the game much more than the 3-2 scoreline may suggest.
While it could have been talked up as the battle between 2 of the most deadly forward threesomes in Europe, Liverpool lined up without one of their key players. Roberto Firmino was only named on the subs bench after an eye injury picked up against Spurs in Saturday's league win meant he'd missed training. Instead, his spot was occupied by Daniel Sturridge who was making his first ever Champions League start for Liverpool despite joining in 2013! This would be a big moment for Sturridge who is firmly 2nd choice behind Firmino and was a player in which Liverpool had been trying to sell off in the transfer window if only someone had put in a bid for him. He took the opportunity by the scruff of the neck and popped his head onto the end of a brilliant cross in from Robertson to give Liverpool the lead after a sustained period of dominance during the first half. As well as grabbing the goal, Sturridge played well throughout the game making good runs and switching positions with both Salah and Mane as he occasionally popped up on the wings. This is a massive positive for Liverpool who didn't really add much attacking cover during the transfer window, if Sturridge can maintain his fitness and doesn't mind this backup role, he could play a big part in Liverpool achieving success this season.
Liverpool doubled their lead just 5-6 minutes later from the penalty spot. They'd continued their offensive bombardment since taking the lead and were all over PSG as Neymar and Mbappe did little to help out the rest of the team who were struggling to deal with Liverpool's assault. Mo Salah picked up the ball out wide and carried it into the box, PSG had men back to close home down and dispossess him but the ball fell on to Wijnaldum. The Dutchman advanced further into the box as a wild challenge from Bernat took him down unnecessarily as there were still several other players for him to get passed. Nevertheless, James Milner was only too happy to be given the chance and made no mistake as he drove the ball into the bottom corner and made it 2-0.
Before halftime, Paris got themselves back into the game with a goal against the run of play and that could be seen as fortuitous. The ball was crossed into Cavani who missed with his overhead effort, after sailing past him the ball ricocheted off from Andy Robertson into the path of right-back Meunier who struck it past Alisson and into the goal. Replays show Cavani in an offside position but the linesman didn't raise his flag and the goal was allowed to stand. Liverpool had been really dominant for this first half but the goal gave PSG a lifeline as they went into the break with the score 2-1.
During the 2nd half, Liverpool continued to be the better team and created a number of chances that could have produced goals. So far in the Premier League despite winning the performances have been scrutinised and some of the things people have been critical of started to happen again. There were times when Sturridge, Mane and Salah could have passed to a teammate in a superior position but opted to take on a player themselves or shoot at goal and miss the target. Salah, in particular, looked more off as the game progressed, seeming a step or two slower than he was last season and being unable to skip past defenders as he'd done so many times before. He'd also gave the ball away with under hit passes a couple of times and made the same exact mistake twice within minutes in the middle of the pitch. The 2nd time leads to the pass being intercepted and the ball passed on to Neymar who used his incredible pace and dribbling to run at the hear of Liverpool's defence, skipped a challenge from Van Dijk before giving the ball to Mbappe who smashed it into the net drawing the scores level at 2-2.
Salah was subbed off for Shaqiri just moments after the goal as Liverpool continued to go forward, creating chances in the final moments. Trent Alexander Arnold came close to scoring from a free kick and then just after a corner substitute Firmino stepped up with a moment of brilliance to score the winner. Van Dijk played it to him on the corner of the penalty area, he cut inside taking it by Rabiot and switching it to his right foot before smashing it in past the PSG keeper. After scoring he ran to the sidelines and celebrated by covering his eye which was poked by Spurs defender Jan Vertongan on Saturday as the Liverpool fans went inside all around him celebrating the amazing last minute victory.
It was a fantastic game and the perfect way for Liverpool to kick off their European campaign, letting their fans know they are in for more thrills this season. Whether they can replicate last seasons heroics, make it to another final and go one step further to lift the trophy remains to be seen. But you can guarantee that if they do make it, it won't be by grinding out boring 1-0 wins.
Liverpool's focus switches back to the league now as they welcome Southampton to Anfield on Saturday 22nd for a 3 pm kick off.